South Buffalo's comic book store of choice, but that's just the beginning of the story. At Empire Comics, the selection, while not quite measuring up to the gargantuan Queen City Bookstore in North Buffalo, comprises a surprising breadth of titles (mostly traditional superhero stuff, though you'll find some edgy graphic novels and the like here and there), especially given the modest size of the place, plus the usual figurines and other collectibles. But it's in the little touches where Empire shines: handpainted shelves, a TV behind the counter playing a loop of superhero movies, and a super friendly owner who sells T-shirts airbrushed with his own original art on the side.
Mon Tue Thu Fri 2PM-7PM, Wed noon-7PM
Kathleen Cunningham's is a small, cheerily-decorated neighborhood cupcake shop where the specialty is imaginatively conceived custom orders for weddings, parties, and other special occasions. But if you're just popping in for a quick bite on a Sunday morning or afternoon, KupKates does stock a selection of premade cupcakes to take home, scratch-made from premium ingredients, as well as cookies, pastry hearts, pies, and other treats. And if you're gluten-sensitive, you don't have to miss out: there's a selection of goodies for you too!
Sun 10AM-4PM or by appointment
Brick Oven Bistro stands out from the rest of the neighborhood's underwhelming dining scene with its focus on creative, upscale cuisine — especially, as the name implies, a selection of about a dozen artisanal brick-oven pizzas ranging from well-executed classics (margherita, pepperoni, mushroom) to unusual innovations (a Reuben pizza complete with sauerkraut) and paeans to the local cuisine (a beef on weck pizza with Swiss cheese, horseradish aioli, and a kümmelweck crust). If you like your crust thin, this place is for you; one reviewer suggested they'd be better described as flatbreads. At lunchtime is served a selection of sandwiches, the best of which features mouth-watering Angus steak dressed with hot peppers, onions, provolone, and garlic aioli.
Mon-Thu 11AM-3PM and 4-9PM, Fri Sat 11AM-3PM and 4-10PM, Sun noon-8PM·$15-35
Among South Buffalonians, the rivalry between Abbott and Imperial Pizza up the street is intense. The latter has better pizza, but the former sports a more diverse menu, going beyond the usual pizzeria fare to include tacos and other simple Tex-Mex favorites, a huge range of subs and wraps, and even family-sized fried chicken dinners. As for the pizza, it's reliably good (if, again, not as good as Imperial), not too greasy, and decently priced. Favorites include the spicy "Hot Topic" with two kinds of peppers, the meat-lovers' dream "Abbott Special" with ham, cappicola, salami and sausage, as well as a Greek pizza topped with a blend of mozzarella and feta, onions, olives and souvlaki meat. Minus a couple of points for the astonishing fact that this place doesn't serve fountain drinks (soda comes in cans only).
Sun-Thu 11AM-10PM, Fri Sat 11AM-11PM·$10-25